Calendar

The inaugural Aurora Sports Festival will be held this weekend, Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2014, in conjunction with the USA Weightlifting National Junior Championships. Spectators of all ages will gather for this USOC (U.S. Olympic Committee) sanctioned competition at the Crowne Plaza, Denver International Airport Convention Center. Several Colorado youth athletes will be competing for the Junior Champion title, including:

Additionally, Olympic coaches Jim Schmitz and Dennis Snethen will attend the Aurora Sports Festival along with Robin Goad, the last American to set a World Record at the Olympic Games in 2000, and Michael Cohen who competed in the 1980 Games. Goad’s daughter, Sydney, will compete in the 48kg class, and Cohen’s sons Michael and William will compete in men’s categories.

In addition to the 2014 USA Weightlifting National Junior Championships, the Aurora Sports Festival will also feature the following competitive events:

“USA Weightlifting is thrilled to hold our 2014 National Junior Championships in Aurora this year,” said USAW CEO Michael Massik. “These young athletes work so hard and are truly an inspiration to all athletes and aspiring Olympic qualifiers.”

Aurora Sports Festival founder Dan Gaudreau is also the owner of the Aurora-based Rocky Mountain Lifting Club and a world powerlifting champion. “The presence of Olympians in Aurora just a few weeks away from the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi is such an honor,” said Gaudreau.

In addition to the competitions, there will be a tradeshow area with exhibits and booths open to the public. Vendors interested in exhibiting at the show can request additional information by visitingwww.AuroraSportsFestival.com.

Admission for the Aurora Sports Festival will be just $8 per day for adults, or $20 for a three-day admission ticket. Kids ages 12 and under are free.

USA Weightlifting is the National Governing Body (NGB) for Weightlifting in the United States, a fully recognized member of the International Weightlifting Federation and the United States Olympic Committee. USA Weightlifting has responsibility for all sanctioned weightlifting events, athletes and activity in the United States inclusive of providing athletes to the Olympic Games, Pan-American Games, Youth Olympic Games, World University Games and World Weightlifting Championships.